Prevalence in India of Dermatophilus congolensis infection in clinical specimens from animals and humans.

A total of 257 samples (from 51 cattle, 43 buffalo, 32 goats, 25 dogs, 23 horses, 14 fowl, 9 camels, 7 rabbits, 5 donkeys, 4 antelopes, 3 pigs, 2 monkeys, 1 bear and 38 humans, all with cutaneous disorders) were examined for the presence of Dermatophilus congolensis using standard microbiological techniques. Dermatophilus was identified in 14 specimens (5.45%) both by direct microscopy and by cultural isolation of the pathogen from cutaneous specimens. The infection was recorded in 2 humans, 6 cattle, 3 buffalo, 1 goat, 1 horse and 1 antelope. A history of trauma to the skin was evident in 6 of these cases; ticks were present in 5 cases. The organism could not be isolated from 12 soil samples collected from the immediate environment of the diseased animals. This appears to be the first report of D. congolensis as a cause of dermatitis in humans, horse and antelope in India.